It is my opinion that the ecumenical movement while it needs definition of the problems and descriptions of the issues from the theologically trained presbytery and theologians, the movement will not proceed until pressure from the laity forces it forward. The best way to move that forward is to get the laity from the disparate churches which are separate, is to get those from different communities of worship face-time. We need to meet, find out that that “Others” are a body of loving, giving, charitable, spirit-filled people. That they, are for the most part just like us … except having different forms and practices and some funny notions.
The problem of course, is … we’re all busy on Sunday morning. We have things to do, services to attend, choirs to fill, classes to teach and it’s the time in which we connect with those we know and love. So how do we get to meet those “others” given that our Sunday’s are filled?
Put that way, there is an obvious suggestion for a solution. Visit the nearby parishes … during the weekday. Meet with their office people. Get on their mailing list. Join their Bible studies and weekday fellowship gatherings as an occasional visitor. Invite them to theirs. Setup an “ecumenical” corner on a bulletin board at your parish. Post events you find out about at other nearby non-aligned parishes (get permission from your priest/pastor/presbyter/preacher of course).
How does that sound? Is it something you (and I) might do in September when the summer vacation season is over?
Why not join with another congregation for a charity event?
That’s a great idea, JewishAthiest. All churches I’ve belonged to do various community projects, from home repair to visiting battered women’s shelters. Some of the home repair projects are beyond the scope of what one church can do, especially if it is a small one. Why not get together on a house project? You can add an hour of bible study to lunch time if you like.
As for myself, sigh, I’d volunteer but I’m busy during the week as well. And happy with my current church so not as motivated as I should be.
But your idea of ecumenism is a sound one, and I’ve been a member of a church that had a good “partnership” with another one across town. My church was mostly white, the other mostly black, so it provided an interesting perspective for all.
Where I used to pastor, the local ministerial alliance sponsored three ecumenical services every year: one around Thanksgiving, then Palm Sunday evening and Good Friday (no Orthodox churches in the county, so the date of the latter two was not an issue). I think a lot of folks in my congregation appreciated those services. We also did a joint Vacation Bible School every summer that recruited workers from four or five different churches.
I like the idea of joining with the church down the road for midweek services, special community ministries, etc. In fact, the church of which I am currently a member has a number of such activities that draws a constituency from beyond our walls. One of the most popular is called “Parchment Club,” which is simply a book discussion group that meets every few months to talk about the “assigned” book, which may be a novel, something theological, or whatever the leader thinks would be interesting to read together.